What Kind Of Protein Powder Is Best For Smoothies

The Best Protein Shakes

You can find plenty of shake recipes online, but the five varieties here are full of nutritious protein and taste amazing. The recipes make one shake each, but you can make them in advance because they will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days.

These protein shakes not only offer a quick boost of necessary protein, but they have additional benefits as well. Strawberries have lots of vitamin C, B9 and potassium. Pineapple is a great source of riboflavin, magnesium and folate. Bananas are packed with potassium, fibre and B6. And peanut butter has the healthy fats that are essential for heart health.

Best Texture: Levels Grass

Levels Grass-Fed Whey Protein

With a solid 25 grams of protein per serving, only two ingredients, and glowing reviews, this is the ideal protein powder for adding muscle. Its the best, most digestible whey powder Ive yet found, an Amazon reviewer explains. Even in a cheap, old shaker bottle filled with cold almond juice, this powder requires minimal effort to get into non-gritty solution.

The Benefits Of Protein Powder For Women

Women need protein for so many reasons. Shah lists some of them here:

• Reduces appetite and hunger levels
• Increases muscle mass and bone strength
• Reduces cravings and desire for late-night snacking
• Boosts metabolism and increases fat burning
• Helps to maintain weight loss
• Vital component for hair, skin and nails
• Used as an energy fuel
• Builds and repairs cells in the body
• Boosts memory

When it comes to weight loss in particular, one study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that overweight women who increased their protein take from 15% to 30% of their calories ate 441 fewer calories each day without intentionally restricting anything. So if youre looking to shed a few pounds without restricting yourself, investing in the best protein powder for women could be a good idea.

Studies have also found that people who eat more protein tend to maintain muscle mass better as they age, and have a lower risk of osteoporosis. This is particularly important for post-menopausal women, who are at a higher risk of age-related muscle loss.

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Best Smoothie Recipes You Can Add Your Protein Powder To

Now that we have that out of the way, lets take a quick look at some amazingly-healthy smoothie recipes that you can add these protein powders to.

These recipes are not necessarily for breakfast though.

You can make them at any time of the day. Why weve even used some of these as meal replacements for lunch and dinner.

So strap in and enjoy these recipes featuring our best protein powders for smoothies.

What We Looked For In Protein Powders

Taste and texture: is the flavour pleasant to drink? Does it dissolve well?Type of protein: whey or plant-based? Concentrate, isolate or hydrolysate?Nutrient profile: how much protein per serving? What about calories, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates and sugars?Type of sweetener: does it contain sugars, artificial sweeteners or neither?Dietary requirements: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free?Value for money: how does it compare to others on a cost-per-serving basis?

Recommended Reading: How To Make A Strawberry Smoothie Ingredients

How To Choose The Best Protein Powder For Women

Protein powders are not regulated, so its important to source products from reputable suppliers, like the ones in this guide. Yasi Ansari, a registered dietitian, recommends looking for a product that has been third-party tested, for example by NSF or Informed Choice.

She adds: There are a lot of products out there that contain protein powder but also have added artificial sugars and sugar alcohols. Sometimes these can cause gastrointestinal discomfort gas, cramping, loose stools. If youre taking a protein supplement, look out for these symptoms.

Sonal Shah, a registered nutritional therapist at Nutritionist Resource, also says that ideally, you want to opt for a protein powder free from artificial sweeteners, including sucralose. If it has stevia this is fine and natural, she adds. Always check the labels at the back of the product and do not be deceived by marketing messages and what the front of the label says.

Many of the plant based formulas are made up from brown rice protein, pea protein, quinoa protein and soya protein. A serving usually provides 18g of protein, although you can consume more. These powders are there to bridge the gap with what is not provided in the diet and can be a great way to increase daily protein needs to keep you healthy and strong.

How To Use Protein Powder

Keep in mind that protein powder should not be used to replace healthy sources of protein in your diet, because high protein foods also provide other valuable nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Still, supplements can be an easy and convenient way to increase your protein intake, as there are many ways to use protein powder.

The simplest way is to mix it with a beverage, such as water or milk, or blend it with other ingredients, such as fruits and veggies, to create a smoothie.

You can also mix protein powder into simple foods such as yogurt, oatmeal, or dips.

If you feel like getting creative, experiment with using protein powder as an addition or substitution in your usual recipes. For example, you can use protein powder in soups, veggie burgers, pancakes, and baked goods.

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Levels 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein

Best Features

Levels 100 Grass Fed Whey Protein Review

If you are looking for a paleo or Keto-friendly protein powder with a slightly higher protein content, then youll love Levels.

This is a 100% pure, unflavored whey protein thats sourced from American farms.

Jersey cows that are pasture-raised and consume a variety of grasses provide a vitamin, mineral and essential fatty acid rich milk, from which the Whey is sourced.

It is free of Gluten, Soy, Antibiotics and rGBH/rBST hormones. There are no artificial flavors or even added natural flavors.

That does make it seem a little bland as compared to the Naked Whey. But in a smoothie, you wouldnt really notice it.

On a positive note, it does mix effortlessly thanks to the 1% non-GMO sunflower lecithin thats added in it.

Levels is one of the few American-made Whey protein brands that uses cold processing and micro-filtration to ensure that naturally occurring growth-factors are kept intact.

At no point of time does the Whey come into contact with Bleaches or other strong chemicals.

Each serving gives you 25 grams of Protein at 130-calories. The sugar content is negligible at 2 grams and so is the carbohydrate content at 3 grams.

The sodium is a tad higher at 70 mg. But its well-below the advised low sodium rating for packaged goods.

Sfh Pure Whey Protein Powder

Best Features

SFH Pure Whey Protein Powder Review

SFH Pure is an internationally acclaimed whey protein powder thats recommended for sportsmen and athletes since it does not contain any banned substances or ingredients. No hormones or anything else that can potentially trigger a red flag during a random blood test.

Despite being naturally-flavored, which generally tends to be looked upon suspiciously, it has one of the cleanest product labels that weve seen.

It is Gluten, Soy, GMO and rBST free.

Each serving contains a whopping 29 grams of Whey, sourced from pasture-raised cows in New Zealand and Australia. With a nutrient-rich diet of diverse grasses, the milk from these cows is considered to be the best in the world, rich in Vitamins, Minerals and Heart-friendly fatty acids.

Other than this, the whey is high in naturally-occurring amino acids.

Apart from rich chocolate, theres Churro, Vanilla and a variety pack, which contains a blend of flavors.

Talking about the flavors, the taste is very natural and not overpowering at all. Theres no strong synthetic aftertaste which we strongly dislike.

Also, the power blends fairly easily in beverages.

If you are sportsman or you are looking for more protein per serving, without cutting corners with the quality, then youll love SFH Pure Whey.

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What Makes Protein Powder Vegan

Protein powders most commonly start from whey protein, casein, or soy. Whey protein as well as casein comes from dairy. If you have any kind of dairy intolerance, then be sure to check the label on your protein powder! These are not naturally occurring ingredients, so I lean toward plant based protein powder.

The Purpose Of Protein Powders

Perhaps the greatest benefit of protein powders is theyre a convenient source of important nutrition. They can serve a helpful role for anyone whos looking for an easy way to get a good dose of protein, Braddock says.

A scoop or two of powder might deliver 30 grams of protein, which can be easier to consume than certain portion sizes of food, say, chicken for example, Braddock says. Powders can be easily mixed into just about anything, including oatmeal, smoothies, baked goods, or just with water.

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How To Make High Protein Smoothies

Grab the best quality ingredients for your smoothies. Choosing organic is an excellent way to go, but not essential the most important tip is always to use frozen fruits or vegetables . This will give you thick, icy smoothies that are refreshing and give you a mouth full of zing!

Heres the formula for the perfect Protein Smoothie-

Something thick

Something liquid

Some Protein

Some Extras

Important you are going to need a super whizzing blending machine. These dont have to be expensive see at the bottom for details.

How?

Just place all your ingredients into the blender and whizz until everything sounds smooth. Try and do this just before serving as a freshly made smoothie is always the best.

Musclepharm Combat Protein Powder Chocolate Milk 4 Lbs

Chocolate rules and it is hard to imagine a person who dislikes this taste! In our assessment, the MusclePharm product offers the best chocolate flavor of all other protein powders. It has an amazing taste and no powdery aftertaste. Another good thing about this supplement is that it dissolves very easily, so you can dilute the powder with less water to make the taste more intense, if you like. Some customers recommend adding it to a banana smoothie, however, it does not go well with milk.

The MusclePharm Combat Protein Powder has a whopping 25 grams of a protein blend, which includes 3 fast-digesting whey proteins and two slow-digesting proteins â egg albumin and micellar casein. Since the product contains only 130 calories and 5 grams of carbohydrates per serving, it can be safely used by dieters as well. There are also 2 grams of sugar in one serving as well as natural and artificial flavors. Perhaps this is the reason why some buyers describe this powder as being a little bit too sweet. The supplement is made in a GMP-registered facility and has been tested for banned substances.

MusclePharm: Check the current price

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What Protein Powder Goes Good With Fruit

While pea protein is high in iron, it is best consumed with citrus powder for the most health benefits. Several studies show that resistance training has the potential to increase muscle mass and make you feel fuller. protein that is said to assist you in the loss of body fat, the growth of muscles, and the development of strength and power.

Whole Foods Vs Protein Powder

You can meet your bodys daily protein requirements whether you drink shakes or eat only whole foods. However, they dont offer equal nutrition.

What you may find surprising is that shakes generally contain fewer nutrients than whole foods. For that reason, shakes may help you lose weight, but whole foods can offer a bigger nutritional punch.

Read Also: Healthy Smoothie Recipes Without Yogurt

The Best Protein Powder For Women

Users love Innermost The Lean Protein. One reviewer wrote, My favorite whey protein! The vanilla one is delicious plain, or blitzed with spinach into a smoothie. The chocolate one is a great dessert substitute with almond milk or greek yogurt. Lovely texture and smooth.

If youre worried that adding protein powder to your diet will make you bulky, Innermosts The Lean Protein could be a great option to set your mind at ease. This particular product is crafted for those looking to slim down, and contains ingredients to support fat metabolism. It is also formulated to reduce cravings and maintain energy levels.

A single serving of The Lean Protein contains an impressive 29g of protein and 1g of inulin . It also contains 750mg Acetyl L-Carnitine, a non-essential amino acid necessary for transporting fat to the bodys power-generating mitochondria. Without it, we wouldnt be able to use fat effectively as a source of energy. Other ingredients include 500mg Pomegranates, 500mg Yerba Mate and 250g Bilberries. All of these ingredients have been linked to weight management and improved glucose control.

Innermost The Lean Protein is suitable for vegetarians, as well as being GMO free, gluten free, soy free, halal and low sugar. Overall, its one of the best protein powders weve tasted. Theres no artificial taste, its creamy and it blends extremely well.

Is Whey Protein Better Than Plant

Plant-based protein can be a great option for vegans and people who are unable to tolerate dairy. However, whey and plant-based protein powders offer a similar set of health benefits.

In fact, some research suggests that whey protein and plant-based protein can be equally effective at increasing muscle growth and strength, as long as they contain the same amount of protein and branched-chain amino acids a group of amino acids that boost muscle-building per serving (

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Sun Warrior Blend Natural

Sunwarrior gets its protein from raw organic pea, cranberry, and hemp seed protein. And we love sticking with the natural flavor because it makes the best base for all your favorite smoothie fixin’s add in raw cocoa powder, a ripe banana and unsweetened vanilla almond milk for a chocolaty taste, or keep it strictly fruity with a combo of berries, bananas, or tropical fruits. But if a more pronounced flavor is what you’re looking for for the basis of your smoothies, Sun Warrior also comes in berry, chocolate, mocha, and vanilla.

Buy now at

The Complete Protein Smoothie Faq

Have you ever wondered whether smoothies are as healthy as they are touted to be?

Do they meet the macronutrient ratio of a complete meal? Are they just liquid calories?

Relax. We know the apprehension.

Heres a mini FAQ that will answer some of the commonest smoothie and protein related questions that you may have in your mind.

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Which Protein Powder Is Best For Muscle Gain

If gaining muscle mass is your goal, research suggests choosing a product with at least 20 grams of high quality protein and minimal fillers, sweeteners, and artificial ingredients .

Though any of the protein powders listed above can support muscle gain when paired with resistance training, Naked Whey Protein Powder is a particularly great option that is low in carbs and provides a concentrated dose of protein in each serving.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

How can anyone say no to a combination like this? A nutty flavor, creamy smoothie with a hint of vanilla will boost both energy and comfort in a glass!

What a simple way to make something truly marvelous!

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 scoop of protein powder
• A few ice cubes

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Is Protein Powder Beneficial During Pregnancy

Research shows that many pregnant people struggle to meet their elevated prenatal protein needs, especially during the second and third trimesters, where anywhere from 13% to 67% of pregnant people may not be getting enough protein.

Those at higher risk of not meeting their protein needs include pregnant people who:

• Suffer from nausea and/or vomiting: If a pregnant is suffering from nausea and/or vomiting, and having a very difficult time consuming food sources of protein such as meat, poultry, fish, or eggs, then a protein powder would certainly be appropriate, says Seiden.
• Follow a plant-based diet: If you are eating a vegetarian or vegan diet while pregnant, you may especially benefit from adding a protein supplement, since these diets are usually naturally lower in protein, and plant proteins are not as easily digested as animal proteins.

With current low carbohydrate diet trends, you may be tempted to curb your carb intake and add more protein, but it is essential not to compromise carbohydrates, the key energy source for mom and baby. Protein should be in addition to carbs, not in replacement of them.

How To Choose The Most Popular Healthy Smoothie Powder

The three most crucial criteria to consider are price, quality, and popularity.Price is an obvious factor to consider, as you want to ensure it is acceptable for your needs.Quality should also be examined because buying a low-quality goods will not help you achieve your main aim of obtaining the best product.Finally, while not as obvious as price or quality, popularity can be just as significant as both when it comes to attracting new customers.

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Best For A Whey Protein Concentrate In Many Flavors: Myprotein Impact Whey Protein

MyProtein is a British company that has recently started supplying protein supplements to the United States.

This product is a whey protein concentrate. It contains 19 g of protein per serving, and each serving contains 100 calories.

It is available in a wide variety of flavors, such as vanilla, smores, and birthday cake.

The brand also states that the protein received a grade A ranking by independent tester Labdoor for both quality and value.

This product is available in packs of 0.55, 2.2, 5.5, and 11 pounds .